Campus has adopted a new rainwater management plan that aims to address climate change risks, campus growth, and protect infrastructure and surrounding ecosystems.
Details of the new plan were included in a monthly report by UBC Campus and Community Planning to the UNA’s Board of Directors during their July meeting.
The adopted rainwater management plan was developed with the consultation of the UNA and is aligned with Campus Vision 2050. It replaced a previous 2017 iteration with updates to place greater emphasis on the use of green infrastructure to help manage rainfall.
The plan is intended to serve as a guide to managing rainwater through infrastructure projects and capital development. To that effect, the new plan has called for the integration of surface facilities in public spaces to reduce rainwater buildup, updates to trunk and storm sewers, the treatment of rainwater, and the development of green infrastructure.
Development Application received for Wesbrook Tower
UNA’s Board of Directors were also informed about a planned development for Wesbrook Place South. In July, the UBC Development Review Committee (DRC) assessed an application from UBC Properties Trust for a development permit for a 30-storey residential tower in Wesbrook Place. The project is planned for lots 8 and 9 in Wesbrook South, located at the junction between Wesbrook Mall and Binning Avenue and adjacent to the site of the former Pulp and Paper Institute of Canada building at 3800 Wesbrook Mall, which was demolished in 2024.
According to application documents, the current plan for the proposed tower would have two-levels of commercial spaces and a child care centre, along with 495 rental homes.
In an email from UBC Media Relations, a spokesperson said the proposal was presented to the committee on July 23.
“The DRC serves as a technical review and coordination body rather than an approval authority, bringing together subject matter experts from across the university to review development proposals and provide feedback on planning, servicing, transportation, sustainability, operational, and design considerations,” said Kurt Heinrich, Associate Vice-President, Communications.
“The proposal was generally well received by the Committee. The project team is using feedback from committee members to address technical requirements and evolve the design.”
Heinrich said the proposal will continue to be refined before a public engagement period this fall.
Following public consultation, it is expected the project will be presented the UBC Development Permit Board for consideration and approval later this year.
(NOTE: UNA directors did not a have a scheduled meeting in August and are expected to meet again on September 22.)
**With additional reporting from Emmanuel Samoglou.
DANIEL LI IS A FORMER STUDENT OF UNIVERSITY HILL SECONDARY AND IS PURSUING A BACHELOR DEGREE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO.